City exploring options for first dog park

The Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission gave its tentative approval for city staff to explore the costs of converting the roadside park into a community dog park.

The conversion is being promoted by Council member Glen Moritz and a citizen supporter, both of whom say that a public-private partnership could provide the likely thousands of dollars needed to fence and manage what would be Kirksville's first dog park.

"It is an underutilized park," said City Manager Mari Macomber. "It certainly looks really good but for the most part it's not used very much."

LPRC members were supportive of exploring the possibility, especially if community donations were used alongside city labor to fence and gate in the park area.

"I think there is a need by all means," said LPRC member Hank Janssen."I remember this coming up awhile ago and I feel bad nothing has happened," added LPRC member Carolyn Cox.

Macomber said when the idea was first floated the city did not have the funding for the plan but said options could be available if additional funding materializes.

"If there is that community interest, we can definitely take another look," she said.

LPRC members noted there is no master plan or tree plan for the roadside park, located at 2524 S. Franklin St., and suggested revisiting a plan with more information on dog park costs.

"We may want to wait until the infrastructure is in place or a decision is made with the park before doing anything with the trees in the future," said LPRC member Yvette Amerman.

The city will also explore how best to dispose of its old playground equipment from North and Jaycee parks once the new playsets are installed with several municipalities requesting the old sets.

Macomber told the LPRC that most recently the city had donated its old playground set to the City of Novinger but noted it would likely be susceptible to additional liability if donated to a non-governmental institution like a community church.

LPRC members spoke in favor of using the city's surplus property policy which dictates items are sold to the highest bidder.

Macomber also updated the LPRC on Rotary Park improvements by Kirksville Rotary, including plans for a bridge on the disc golf course and a new Rotary Park sign tentatively placed in a parking stall of the Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Macomber said the sign, which would advertise the park's amenities including picnic shelters, the aquatic center and disc golf course, is the club's main priority and is awaiting funding approval from its governing board.

"If the veterans organizations are OK with its placement, then we're OK with it," Macomber said of the sign.